Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIRX) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 873,100 shares, a growth of 30.4% from the November 30th total of 669,400 shares. Approximately 3.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 218,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.0 days.
In other Viracta Therapeutics news, CEO Ivor Royston bought 8,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 15th. The shares were bought at an average price of $5.56 per share, for a total transaction of $44,480.00. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold 39,867 shares of company stock worth $191,817 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 3.72% of the company’s stock.
A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Citigroup Inc. lifted its stake in Viracta Therapeutics by 109.6% in the third quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 4,206 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 2,199 shares during the period. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. acquired a new position in Viracta Therapeutics in the second quarter valued at about $32,000. Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new position in Viracta Therapeutics in the second quarter valued at about $35,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Viracta Therapeutics during the second quarter worth about $43,000. Finally, Advisor Group Holdings Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Viracta Therapeutics during the third quarter worth about $39,000. 35.82% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
NASDAQ:VIRX opened at $3.38 on Thursday. Viracta Therapeutics has a 1-year low of $3.18 and a 1-year high of $24.80. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $4.66. The company has a current ratio of 15.78, a quick ratio of 15.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05.
Viracta Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VIRX) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 10th. The company reported ($0.40) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.31) by ($0.09). Research analysts anticipate that Viracta Therapeutics will post 1.85 EPS for the current year.
Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. SVB Leerink reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $18.00 price target on shares of Viracta Therapeutics in a report on Sunday, November 14th. Zacks Investment Research cut Viracta Therapeutics from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 16th. Finally, HC Wainwright reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $35.00 price target on shares of Viracta Therapeutics in a report on Thursday, October 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $33.50.
Viracta Therapeutics Company Profile
Viracta Therapeutics, Inc a clinical-stage, biomarker-directed precision oncology company focused on new medicines for the treatment of virus-associated malignancies. It develops antiviral agent valganciclovir as an oral combination therapy which is in a Phase 2 clinical trial for EBV-positive lymphomas.